Citroen DS3 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Citroen DS3 car check
Is the Citroen DS3 reliable? We analysed 1,136,829 real MOT tests across 82,556 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Citroen DS3? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Citroen DS3 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Citroen DS3.
Citroen DS3 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Citroen DS3. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Citroen DS3 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Citroen DS3 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Citroen DS3 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Citroen DS3 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Citroen DS3 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Citroen DS3 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Citroen DS3 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Citroen DS3 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 182 | 83.0% | 22,497 | 33,958 | 45,908 |
| 2017 | 736 | 76.6% | 24,564 | 36,216 | 53,929 |
| 2016 | 2,203 | 77.6% | 28,319 | 43,529 | 61,949 |
| 2015 | 100,158 | 73.7% | 32,086 | 47,840 | 67,109 |
| 2014 | 238,004 | 72.9% | 34,764 | 52,047 | 72,950 |
| 2013 | 270,201 | 72.3% | 36,977 | 55,824 | 77,757 |
| 2012 | 252,467 | 70.1% | 39,704 | 59,898 | 83,155 |
| 2011 | 180,676 | 69.9% | 41,672 | 63,200 | 87,764 |
| 2010 | 87,045 | 70.8% | 42,767 | 65,589 | 90,664 |
| 2009 | 55 | 69.1% | 20,095 | 41,497 | 58,479 |
How Long Does a Citroen DS3 Last?
Based on 82,556 Citroen DS3 vehicles on UK roads.
Citroen DS3 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Citroen DS3 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Citroen DS3
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
83.0% MOT pass rate from 182 tests
69.1% MOT pass rate from 55 tests
The best year to buy a used Citroen DS3 is 2018, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.0% across 182 tests. The 2009 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Citroen DS3 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citroen DS3 THIS CAR | 71.5% | 1,136,829 | 56,859 mi | 16 yrs |
| Citroen Xsara | 69.1% | 5,047,330 | 77,497 mi | 28 yrs |
| Citroen Berlingo | 70.1% | 4,453,235 | 83,738 mi | 29 yrs |
| Citroen C3 | 72.7% | 4,435,918 | 53,913 mi | 24 yrs |
| BMW 5 Series | 80.5% | 944,163 | 82,531 mi | 35 yrs |
Compared to the Citroen Xsara (69.1% pass rate) and the Citroen Berlingo (70.1% pass rate), the Citroen DS3 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Citroen DS3 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Citroen DS3Should you buy a used Citroen DS3?
The Citroen DS3 has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.5% across 1,136,829 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Citroen DS3 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Citroen DS3 owner drives around 5,822 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Citroen DS3 models stay on UK roads for around 16 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.